Tried many like Voosteq Model N Channel, Arturia 73, Acustica Audio GOLD 5, etc
I also watched demos of UA 1073, it's okay.

but tbh all the industry people always seem to use the Real Neve 1073 for vocals.

How can I emulate the Real Neve 1073?
I will even appreciate nerdy Plugin Chains for emulating One single Neve 1073.

The real neve 1073, adds a subtle grit in the high-end with no aliasing artifacts + it makes mixing vocals easier as it makes the vocals pop better because of the controlled somewhat harsh sparkle.

Any tips or tricks?

What's your favorite on Vocals?

 

Plugin Alliance - Maag EQ2 ---> www.plugin-alliance.com/en/products/maag_eq2.html

Maag EQ2 When Mixing Vocals

Maag EQ2 and EQ4: Airband on vocal and guitar

https://files.plugin-alliance.com/products/maag_eq2/maag_eq2_manual.pdf

 

Three Body Technology Deep Vintage Brit 73

 

Universal Audio Neve 1073 ( DSP UAD-2 version ) used as Unison insert during tracking is as close as it gets.

 

Nothing for me can actually replace the sound of a Neve 1073 so I bought an older 1073DPA used for a great price, but what I found that can impart the warm sound as you turn up the gain and begin tI feed the amp is the Kush Omega N plugin. It does a good job at imparting that yummy flavor. I think it's iLok protected.

https://thehouseofkush.com/products/omega-n



The other plugin that is pretty dang good is the VoosteQ Model N Channel. It gives you various model options and for a plugin EQ to my ears one of the best. The comp section is fantastic too. It can only be authorized online.

https://www.voosteq.com/model-n-channel/

 

Definetely DMG Equilibrium by far.

 

Honestly guys i just bought the neve 1073 SPX hardware and the difference is like porn and real sex
i thought emulations can do a job but for preamp and compressor especially on vocal input the difference is 3d depth something that plugins dont seem to have

 

Absolutely! 1073 SPX is my next purchase for sure

 

Acustica or voosteq, followed by UAD.

 

Acustica, Three-Body Tech Brit 73 and Submission Audio PreFire

 

I personally think the frontend is something that can't totally be replicated with VSTs. In other words: If the equipment is designed to be used prior to hitting converters then that's where you actually should invest in hardware. Everything else which comes after the signal has been acquired is fair game for VST, though.

It's a bit like the microphone modeller idea. You can't capture a poorly designed mic + poorly pre-amped signal and then run it through a Neumann mic modeller followed by an Avalon pre/comp VST and expect it to sound anything like what you intend because the frontend has already junked the signal, or at least colored it. It's like trying to color a blue marker over a yellow marker when you really just wanted blue to begin with.

No matter how perfect the modelling is, you're operating on a signal that isn't the same as what would be fed into the actual hardware, you see?

 

The real Neve hardware only liked for 3 main reasons. First the low end it adds (tons of em from transformer) that paired with high end roll off as early as 10kHz or so. Both combined add weight and remove harshness that make you feel the track sustain is slightly pushed behind in comparison to unprocessed sound (leaving the transient) , assuming you're not EQing in solo. Most people call it depth, well that's only accurate in context with other tracks. Depth for mono track ? Doesn't exist. Can experiment with simple EQ to hear the effect.

3rd, what some call it slew (not sure the right term) where it reacts slightly late to transient (think of slow attack compressor). The preamp and EQ move are'nt instantaneous, it reacts slightly late because of the flaw in its design, I wish I could explain it in electronics but I don't know much about it. It is an error in 1073 design (among other things) , Mr. Neve himself admitted to it, he's been trying to improve it some time after with his latter models but people just love the 1073 way of doing its thing. I mean it should do well for drum elements and vocal isn't it to leave out the transient part of the sound ?

Saturation is just minimal, unless it is pushed which can easily be replicated with good plugin if you know what you're looking for. If you dont, like @Lois Lane im down with the Kush and Voosteq.

 

Last edited: May 28, 2025 at 6:38 AM

TBTECH DeepVintage, Kiive Audio and Sonimus are my favorites. But even so, in the grand scheme of a mix it doesn't matter. I wish people stopped caring about accuracy in places where it can't be seem without an A/B comparison.

If you're worried about the mythical 3D sound of an analog mix, just get some crosstalk and slightly channel imbalance with something like Sonimus SonEq "wow mode" (or some shit like that). There are some highly rated and busy people in this industry churning out very 2D mixes with analog in the chain.

 

Nomad Factory - British Bundle v2 ------> www.nomadfactory.com/products/b4304-British-Bundle-v2/

British MLC-2269: Master Compressor Limiter (MLC) Inspired by the legendary Neve™ 2254
British NEQ-1972: Vintage Equalizer Inspired by the classic Neve™ 1081 EQ module

 

Sonimus Brunley 73
Burnley 73 - Sonimus



KitPlugins

BB-N73
BB N73



& BB-N105 (NEVE 8078)
BB N105



There is a way " )
PeaceR

 

uad api vision chan-strip. better than a neve 1073

 

Acustica Gold and Nebula libs do the trick for me.

 

I'll chuck in the dark horse. I found for pure warmth, if the NEVE warmth is all you're after the Lindell 80 series with nothing done to it on the insert instantly warms it up beautifully Neve style. If the 1073 emulation only is all you're after, I'm with @Lois Lane - VoosteQ Model N Channel.

 

Not anymore.

 

One cannot compare (well, you can try) Neve hardware with UA software, the hardware has real depth and tone which the software only can emulate to a degree.

The Neve and API are both great hardware preamps, though from my experience have different flavors at different levels of gain. The API begins to saturate at a lower threshold whereas the 1073 can remain "cleaner" until you ramp it up a bit more. The API produces more complex harmonics and seems punchier and excels at transient rich snare and kick drums. I prefer 8/10 times the 1073 on vocals and half the time on acoustic guitars. The impedance switch on the 1073 can impart a nice tonal departure depending on which and what kind of mic you are using. The API preamps don't have that feature.